‘Porky’ and ‘Bubba’ OK for candidates to use as nicknames on Ark. ballot, but ‘Colonel’ isn’t

‘Colonel’ not OK for Ark. ballot, but ‘Porky’ is

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A retired Army colonel running for a U.S. Senate seat is criticizing an Arkansas law that prevents him from using his military title as a nickname on the ballot this spring.

In Arkansas, such monikers as Porky and Bubba are OK for the ballot, while military titles aren’t.

Conrad Reynolds is one of eight candidates vying for the GOP nomination for the Senate seat currently held by Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln.

Reynolds hoped to point out his military credentials by filing candidacy papers as “Conrad ‘Colonel’ Reynolds,” but state law wouldn’t allow it.

Already-elected officials can use their titles on the ballot. And candidates can use nicknames. But the law prohibits professional or honorary titles from being used as nicknames.